Aretha Franklin sings during a funeral service for the late famed boxing trainer Emanuel Steward at the Greater Grace Temple in Detroit, Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2012. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

DETROIT -- The collection of former and current boxing champions gathered Tuesday afternoon in one cluster of the vast Greater Grace Temple Church was impressive.

The ferocity of their profession, of which life and death struggles were common, was apparent. But this group came in peace, to acknowledge the legendary trainer in their midst and say the final goodbyes to Emanuel Steward during a memorial service mixed with humor and emotional moments.

Steward, the famed boxing trainer, manager and ambassador of the sweet science, died some two weeks ago in Illinois from colon cancer, leaving a vast void in the boxing profession locally as well as huge shoes to fill for those who try to follow him. He was 68 years old.

One by one, these boxers, among dozens and dozens in the audience who trained under Steward, came up and spoke about the magnificent trainer, manager and person, who emerged from a simple background in West Virginia to touch countless lives around the world.

Advertisement

Forty-one champions he trained.

Current world heavyweight champ Wladimir Klitschko, former heavyweight champions Lennox Lewis, Evander Holyfield and Michael Moorer, and former muti-division champ Thomas Hearns, the signature fighter of the famed Kronk boxing team, shared their powerful stories and humorous anecdotes recalling their experiences with Steward, who at one time or another, trained them all.

For some, it was easy. Lewis, who had Steward in his corner for many of his big fights, recalled a light-hearted episode in England, where the pair went clubbing late at night. It was a great experience, much to Steward's delight, according to Lewis. "Lennox Lewis, you know how to party, I never been to a party like that before," Steward said.

For others, it was very difficult.

"At this time, it's kind of hard for me," said Hearns, as his eyes welled up in tears as he looked down on the arrangement of flowers and images of Steward. With his son, Ronald, and brother, Billly trying to comfort him, Hearns went on. "Emanuel Steward was so much in my life. I love you Emanuel, I'm truly going to miss you."

The boxing world was present in full force, including Jim Lampley, Larry Merchant, Max Kellerman and Harold Lederman, the HBO boxing telecast crew in which Steward was a part for more than a decade. Included with that group was former champ Roy Jones Jr., who revealed his respect for Kronk boxing, although a lad whose roots were deep around the Gulf Coast in Florida. He said he always carried a Kronk gym bag, which Steward had given him long ago, to all of his fights.

Promoter Bob Arum, who handled several of Hearns's fights, Dr. Stuart Kirschenbaum, who had a long relationship with Steward and the Hearns family beyond his years as Michigan boxing commissioner, and referee Frank Garza continued the tributes for a man who meant so much to boxing.

Before a solo rendition to the Steward family and an attentive congregation, Aretha Franklin recalled her connections to boxing, going back to the days of watching the Gillette Fights with her dad.

Sugar Ray Leonard, Hilmer Kenty, Iran Barkley, who could barely get past his tears, and Andy Lee, Milton McCrory and on and on, these were the boxers who knew about Steward and were thankful of Steward's presence and influence in their lives.

Detroit Mayor Dave Bing, Southfield Mayor Brenda Lawrence, Judge Greg Mathis joined in the acknowledgement of Steward, along with former champ Iran Barkley, who could hardly speak through his tears.

Ultimately, the feeling was prevalent that Steward knew that he was very ill, yet kept things to himself until the very end. He wished no one to worry about him.

"Hello, hello, how you doing," announced Klitschko of Steward's favorite greeting, which he received a few days before his death. "His voice was very strong. He made me very happy."

Lewis said Steward was in his corner for many of his biggest fights. "I just wish I was there for his major fight," he lamented. "He was the greatest trainer that ever lived."

Marvin Goodwin covers boxing for The Oakland Press. You can email him at marvin.goodwin@oakpress.com. Follow him on Twitter @marvingoodwin.